Pakistan draw with Maldives in Asian Games football

India and Bangladesh on the verge of early elimination after losses.

Pakistan’s second match in the Asian Games ended in a goalless draw against Maldives that left both sides with equal number of points in Group F.

The under-23 team, led by goal-keeper Jaffar Khan, failed to score despite nine shots on target as compared to Maldives’ four.

“It’s disappointing that we didn’t win, but I’m impressed with the midfielders Mohammad Ahmad and Mohammad Tauseef,” Pakistan team consultant Graham Roberts told The Express Tribune. “But I’m still telling the team that they have a chance in the tournament if they draw with Oman and emulate today’s performance against them on Thursday.”

India face early exit

Defending champions Qatar were given an almighty fright by India before sending them to the verge of elimination from the Asian Games tournament, with Bangladesh also looking at an early trip home.

India took the lead but the Qataris battled back to score twice in the last 10 minutes of their Group D game and secure a 2-1 win. It left the Indians with no points and virtually no hope of qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Singapore are also in trouble after crashing 2-0 to Kuwait, leaving them with just a point to show from their two games and a must-win clash with India on Thursday. Hong Kong’s Wai Ho Chan struck a 60th minute winner to give them a crucial 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan. UAE cruised past Bangladesh 3-0 with Abdalla Fawzi getting a brace and Ahmed Al Jenaiby scoring another in the second half.

The top two and four of the best third-placed teams from the six groups advance to the round of 16.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2010.